The Schoolhouse Springs trails go up a south facing slope, so temperatures can get hot during summer months. Once you get past the 1st Hamongog, the scenery gets more exciting. The trail will take you to any destination on what Alpine old-timers call the North Mountain. The two most popular destinations are Lone Peak(photos) and Lake Hardy(photos). This page describes the trails leading to Lake Hardy. (For Lone Peak, go here)
The city of Alpine invites people to climb to Lake Hardy with the Mayor as part of Alpine Days. This year (2010) it’s on Friday 13th, starting at 5:30am. They usually hike up via 2nd Hamongog, then down through East Hamongog. I hiked to Lake Hardy in 2007 and 2009, but in the opposite direction as the main group both years, so I passed them near the lake.
- Schoolhouse Springs Trailhead to First Hamongog (photos) First, what is a “hamongog”? In this instance, it means “mountain meadow”. The name is derived from a reference in the bible meaning “Valley of the multitudes of Gog”.
This year (2010) the actual location of the trailhead has been changing because of the good work of an organization named Utah Wilderness Access Foundation (UWAF). They are working to get historical trails that go through private developments re-opened for public use. Because of them, the trailhead has been moved a 1/4 mile from the end of Aspen Dr to the Lehi water tank. The trail continues up an old road. There are a few shortcuts, but they are steeper than the road. You’ve arrived at the First Hamongog when you see the Lone Peak Wilderness sign and a bridge over a colvert that enters a small meadow.
–>Miles from TH to 1st Hamongog:1.8mi Elevation gain:1530ft
- First Hamongog to Second Hamongog (photos) There’s a junction in First Hamongog. The left fork will take you to Second Hamongog. This trail goes through maple stands, which gives way to conifers as you get higher.
–>Miles from 1st Hamongog to 2nd Hamongog:1.4mi (3.2mi) Elevation gain:1100ft (2530ft)
- Second Hamongog to Lake Hardy (photos) There are some great sights along this route. The trail is hard to find in spots. Look for cairns that people have left, to guide the way.
–>Miles from Second Hamongog to Lake Hardy:1.9mi (5.1mi) Elevation gain:1880ft (4410ft)
- First Hamongog to Lake Hardy via East Hamongog (photos) In the 1st Hamongog, take the right trail at the junction to go toward Dry Creek and the East Hamongog. After going through East Hamongog meadow and crossing a stream, you’ll come across another junction. Take the left fork, which goes up the mountain toward Chipman Peak (going straight at the junction will take you to Dry Creek). I’ve gone this route more than the 2nd Hamongog route. If you leave early, you’re in shade most of the way up. After rounding Chipman Peak to the left, you just follow the valley all the way to the lake. Grassy Meadows is just below the lake, and is a great place to set up camp if you’re staying overnight
–>Miles from Second Hamongog to Lake Hardy:2.8mi (4.6mi) Elevation gain:1880ft (4410ft)
- Lake Hardy (photos) This is a great destination. When I was there in 2007, someone had rubber boats stashed. I heard they stock the lake with fish. This would be a good base for climbing Bighorn, South Thunder or Chipman Peak.
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Thanks for the info.
FYI: I hiked Lake Hardy last weekend, and the sign at First Hamongog now says “Lone Peak Wilderness,” not “Lake Hardy Wilderness. And there is no longer any bridge.
The ‘Lake Hardy Wilderness’ was a mental error. It’s always been the Lone Peak Wilderness. The the bridge is actually just a colvert crossing. You wouldn’t know it was there unless you observed the creek on each side. Thanks for the heads-up. I fixed it. Eric
Have you hiked to Lake Hardy in the winter?
I’ve been up there in the spring, before the snow completely melted – snow was several feet deep above 9000ft. I walked over snow bridges and could hear the water running underneath. I think you would get less of that if you went via East Hamongog. The trail slope is south facing the whole way, so just watch for wet avalanches as it heats up.
Just hiked up this trail last weekend. The trail needs to be cleared up a bit. In some areas, it feels like bushwacking. It should also be noted that it is quite steep throughout and until you get to the forest boundary, really hot and ugly – its just a dirt road used for horseback riding. You should pack plenty of water and refill at the 1st Hamongog, because there is no water until the 2nd. There are some really nice camp spots at the 2nd H., but very few places to pitch a tent before that, so keep that in mind if youre starting late in the day. My conclusion… it’s nice once youre up there but I won’t be hiking this trail again.
Under the route “First Hamongog to Lake Hardy via East Hamongog”, it says “–>Miles from Second Hamongog to Lake Hardy:2.8mi”… Should this read: Miles from FIRST Hamongog?
Yes, I believe you’re right. I will get that updated. Thank you!
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I have hiked the hamongogs for years and used to take a saw an clippers to clear the trails. The forestry service used to do this but have not done so for the last ten years or so.
There is good water on the north west corner pf the 2nd Hamengog. You pass it if you head out to Lone Peak. At the base of big horn peak is a small grassy clearing we call the 3rd Hamengog with pines on the south side for camp fires. From there you drop down to grassy flats and on up to Lake Hardy. Lake Hardy is well named as it is taxing hike.
[…] actually is. While planning a route up to Lake Hardy this past week I stumbled upon the blog, Hiking in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains which stated, “In this instance, it means ‘mountain meadow’. The name is derived […]